Movie Review: The Manson Family (Blu-ray, 2003)

Any filmmaker who's taken the time to put together a movie knows that it can be a painstaking process that can take a remarkably difficult toll on your stamina. Some give up, and some are persistent like Deadbeat at Dawn writer/actor/director, Jim Van Bebber. It didn't take a year, or even several years to complete his movie The Manson Family - the process took more than ten years for him to finish his second feature film. In 2003, Severin Films' David Gregory and partner Carl Daft came in at just the right time to help Van Bebber finish, and now, for fans of this ferocious take on the Manson Family we are now treated to a special edition Blu-ray of the movie with new extras that even include Van Bebber’s return behind the camera with the 16 minute short Gator Green.

The story of Charles Manson and his group of followers known as the “Manson Family” has been told before (Specifically in Vincent Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter) but the actual Manson Family hasn’t gotten the attention that thankfully Van Bebber gives the likes of Tex Watson (Michael Pitman), Leslie van Houten (Amy Yates) Patty Krenwinkle (Leslie Orr). 

In many ways these lost souls are much more interesting and frightening as Charlie himself. Leading up to the notorious Tate-LaBianca murders, we get to become a member of this group of psychotic lemmings - almost watching over the shoulders them as they commit these crimes. The structure is non-linear here but still contains a lot of facts from the case and an approach to filming that creates a nightmare unlike anything put forth in a true-crime based picture. Some of the visuals are absolutely ghastly, as they should be considering the content. 

Movie Review: The ABCs of Death (2012, Magnet Releasing)

...not too long ago, a most intriguing proposal was afforded 26 film directors, from around the world...some relatively fledgling and unknown, some known and very much seasoned: given free and unbridled creative reign...write, produce and film a small vignette about the subject of death, with the only boundaries and limitations being that each directer is assigned a single letter in the English alphabet, and the death-themed film produced, has to relate to a word...it's first letter being that of the assigned alphabet letter (...budget seemingly unknown, though an amount of $5,000 is per chance mentioned, in one of the segments). What resulted in this rather unusual cinematic experiment, is something which, for the most part, is equal parts uneven, thought-provoking, unnerving, provocative, funny, perverse, shocking, irreverent, jaw-dropping, horrific and...well, just totally off-the-wall, in an enjoyably macabre and engaging way. A fleetingly chaptered anthology, spanning a widely diverse and eclectic spectrum of subject matter, in alternately brutal, grotesque, perverse and, well...admittedly beautiful ways, at times...Now, now...gather around, boys and girls, as we learn "The ABCs...of Death"...

Movie Review: Baron Blood (1972, Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack)

Review By Rob Sibley

Baron Blood may not be Mario Bava's most highly regarded film, but to me it's certainly a blast to watch. I'm a huge Bava junkie and often find myself revisiting his films often and Baron Blood is always a delight for repeat watches. This might have to do with the fact that the film is much faster paced then your typical Bava flick. Don't get me wrong I adore Black Sunday and the Giallo that started it all “The Girl Who Knew Too Much” and “Kill, Baby Kill...” but those films were definitely methodically paced and just a tad slow now and then. Those films are masterpieces of Italian cinema don't get me wrong, but I think younger audiences sadly would find those films painfully slow. Baron Blood on the other hand builds atmosphere quickly and expertly and moves along like a fine tuned freight train.

Movie Review: Man of Steel (2013, Warner Bros.)

 ...(...a word of friendly warning: Normally, in reviewing films herein this venue, this viewer typically endeavors to ever so much keep as much of the content of a movie, a surprise to the potential viewer...trying not to give too much away. However, in the case of THIS particular film, considering the unconventional non-linear storytelling involved, as well as the overall general familiarity of this pop culture icon, giving SOME things away seemed somewhat unavoidable, though not altogether totally unveiling. However, if you have not afforded yourself the chance to see "Man of Steel" yet, please be aware of SOME spoilers ahead...JHB)...

Win a copy of Cannibal Fat Camp!

David Hayes is offering up a copy of his new book Cannibal Fat Camp to one winner.

The rules are easy. Send us your best cannibal story. It can be a true story, it can be about your favorite cannibal book or movie or it can be whatever you want. Dave will choose his favorite and send you a copy of his book!

Send it in to our email address: cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com or post it to Cinema Head Cheese on Facebook.

Contest ends on July 5th, so hurry!

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #101 - Funknuts

Jeff, Kevin and Dave are all together for a silly hour spent mostly on Dave's trip to the World Horror Convention in New Orleans. He talks about the Bram Stoker Awards, his trip through the Dukes of Hazzard Museum and gives us a little Cajun vampire history.

Jeff and Kevin share some reviews as well as a short list of some interesting items sent by film distributors.

Dave sets the rules for our Cannibal Fat Camp contest, which everyone should have fun with.

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A room at The Dukes of Hazzard Museum

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Movie Review: A Labor Of Love (1975)

Directed by Robert Flaxman and Daniel Goldman

Movie Review by Greg Goodsell

The independently produced film “The Last Affair”, a serious drama to be shot in the Chicago area in the winter of 1975, 1976 or thereabouts was suddenly confronted with a daunting stipulation on the part of the producers. Twenty to 60 percent of the project would now have to have hardcore sex inserts in order to recoup investment. The cast and crew, while adopting the “show must go on” attitude are quick to learn -- that while held in low esteem, pornography should never be attempted by the inexperienced. The expected painfully funny scenes begin to unspool before the documentarian’s cameras.

A Labor of Love is a cruelly hilarious experience that unintentionally adds credibility to hardcore porno filmmakers … not everyone can simply switch on a camera and expect the performers to reenact sex acts, film it all and come up with an erotic scene. Both the crew – who use a handheld 16 mm camera that sounds like a lawnmower going over gravel – and the actors, who have their expected limitations, stumble around and try to make an ostensible “art film” with pound cake action.

Movie Review: Dangerous Liaisons (2012, Well Go USA)

...the...ooooof!!...oh-so deliciously diabolical, serpen-twining storyline that deftly makes up the sly and sensual 18th century Pierre Chodolos de Laclos novel, 'Les Liaisons dangereuses' is an intriguing odd-bird, as far as classic novels go, in that the ensuing events depicted therein, ideally coupled with the associated and sinister character cross-play within the story are just as intricately compelling and appreciative...perhaps even a bit more so...than the final outcome of the story, itself...the journey, more alluring satisfying than the destination, or the prize...you know, the old adage of 'getting there is half the fun'...very much comparably akin to that of not only appreciatively beholding  strikingly beautiful tapestry, as a whole, but also having an equally, if not higher regard for each and every stitch, in the tapestry's material. Reaching as far back as director Roger Vadim's 1959 rendition of the compellingly timeless tale (...the first, to take liberty in uniquely retooling the original story's proceedings and morality, to a different time and place...in that case, adeptly melding it into the social niche of a jazzy-accented, contemporary 1950's France), this literary observation is never more comparatively poignant, in noting the varied and eclectic cinematic renditions of the classic literary work, over the years...that is, with the added inclusive and engaging intrigue, associated with the performances, themselves...making the proceedings all the more engaging...the perfectly coupled performers, bringing with them, an equally adept and engaging character chemistry. To varying degree, this has effectively, assuredly & readily worked quite appropriately in previous, well-received and critically acclaimed filmed versions...and respectably joining that honored and revered fold, the exotically sensuous and devilishly sinister 2012 Chinese production, "Wi-heom-han gyan-gye"...otherwise known as "Dangerous Liaisons"...

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #100 - It Just Sort Of Happened

For the 100th podcast episode of Cinema Head Cheese, Kevin goes through the history of CHC with Dave. He then talks to Greg Goodsell about the good and bad in being a reviewer as well as Greg's favorite conventions. He praises the amazing writing staff with Jeff, and they each share a movie review. Kevin goes back in time to one of his favorite episodes featuring James DePaolo. He wraps the show up with our first contributor, Hal Astell. They discuss Hal's books, his website Apocalypse Later, and some of the most mind boggling choices in filmmaking.

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Movie Review: Heavy Traffic (1973, Blu-ray)

Fritz The Cat director, Ralph Bakshi is a legend of sorts to many fans of animation and cult film aficionados alike. Bakshi's stuff can be kid friendly but most of his best celebrated works are his adult cartoons (Hey Good Lookin', Coonskin). On the heels of the X-rated hit Fritz The Cat, Bakshi jumps into the violent, perverse, oft hilarious abyss known only as Heavy Traffic. Shout Factory has taken liberties to clean up the film for Blu-ray and make it just dandy for admirers of this 70's, not-so-kiddo friendly cartoon.

In what seems to be a character based on Bakshi, our main protagonist, Michael (Joseph Kaufmann) is a twenty-something artist living at home with his miserable, sloppy-tit swinging Jewish mother and his sleazy, whore-hopping Italian Dad. Amongst the drugs, violence, racism and overall scum littering his neighborhood Michael attempts to persevere so he could someday be a successful animator.

Movie Review: Strip Mahjong: Battle Royale (2012, DVD)

Review By: Rob Sibley

A handful of mysterious Japanese women take part in a deranged web show that makes them strip off their clothes when they lose a round of Mahjong. When there is nothing left to hide, the losers secrets are revealed and the nubile contestants must take their punishment. Can anyone survive, or keep their clothes on, in the dangerous game of "STRIP MAHJONG: BATTLE ROYALE?" Gleefully adding a risqué, wry twist to an ancient game of strategy, this erotic thriller delivers voyeuristic thrills with the friskiness of Seventies sexploitation flicks, providing titillating, strange and kinky gameplay at every turn!

You just have to love the Japanese, they really know what they are doing when it comes to exploitation films. This flick doesn't try to hide what it is in the least. Sure it's a highly misogynistic concept but that's all part of the exploitation game. Usually I'd balk at a flick like this because more often then most they have no redeeming value and are two steps away from a bad Asian porno. But “Strip Mahjong” has an ace up it's sleeve. It's the perverse, over the top sense of the humor the film contains. It's impossibly hard to take this film seriously and that's a good thing. I also found it refreshing that the film didn't take the easy out aka going for the gore. This isn't Red Room 1 or 2 or any other single location Japanese horror flick. Sure it's Japanese sleaze, but it's sleaze with a sense of satire.

Movie Review: Motel Hell (1980, Blu-ray)

Review By: Rob Sibley

Motel Hell o man you got to love this flick! How many films featuring two playboy playmates, a dueling chainsaw fights and a “secret garden” filled with peeps who are buried up to their heads in dirt. Just waiting to be “smoked” and turned into cured meats. Throw in some swingers and a rock band to while your at it and you got a delicious little recipe for a fun black comedy. It's certainly not a straight up horror film, Motel Hell keeps a strong stream of dark humor flowing through the proceedings.

 In tone I'd almost compare the film to Paul Bartel/Mary Woronov classic “Eating Raoul” with a bit of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre thrown in for good measure. Interestingly enough Tobe Hooper was the first choice to direct this film but eventually dropped out. One would have to guess that Hooper might have upped the gore but director Conner's keeps the gore down instead serving up some delectable pitch black humor. 

Awesome August For Scream Factory! Q - The Winged Serpent and more on Blu-ray!

PRESENTS

A Double Feature Presentation of Rare 80s Slasher Terrors

X-RAY/SCHIZOID

BLU-RAY™+ DVD COMBO PACK

HITS HOME ENTERTAINMENT SHELVES EVERYWHERE ON AUGUST 20, 2013

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Fantasy Horror Cult Classics

Q THE WINGED SERPENT and DARK ANGEL

TWO BLU-RAY™ COLLECTIONS SET TO UNLEASH IN STORES ON AUGUST 27, 2013

Pre-Order These Special Scream Factory Home Entertainment Presentations Today!

This August, loyal fans are invited to combat the summer heat with a quadruple dose of 80s high-camp horror classics when a double feature presentation of Boaz Davidson’s

Movie Review: The Four (2012, Well Go Entertainment)

...this viewer recalls quite well, the first time being privy to the jaw-dropping martial arts action style and dynamics of filmmaker Gordon Chan...and that one film, which I saw at the time, had me indelibly hooked on his films, from then on. It was 1994, and my local mom-and-pop, hole-in-the-wall cult film movie revival theater (...now, regretfully, a stuffy, experimental/independent/art-house movie theater, which I rarely visit) was running it's yearly, two-week long Asian film festival. One of the films on the double-feature bill, on the particular day of my theater patronage, was "Fist of Legend", starring the up & coming, flavor-of-the-moment martial arts star, Jet Li; now, I had heard of Jet Li...knew of his growing film presence, long before he was revered by a general movie-going audience in the U.S. Heck, this viewer even had a couple of his older films, in an ever-swelling film collection (...a paltry 3,000 or so titles, at the time; don't EVEN ask the official number, now...lest your jaw drop to the floor). "Fist of Legend", without a doubt, gave Li a respectability in film, nearly equal to that of the late great Bruce Lee. However, as far as behind the camera, and relatively unknown to this viewer at the time, was director Chan...and WHOA!! What a place to start!! The viewer could assuredly scribble a pretty lengthy review, praising the greatness of "Fist of Legend", and how well it was filmed & put together. In short, to say that I was blown away, would be an understatement. After that, I made it a point to seek out any of Chan's earlier directorial efforts, as well as any future film endeavors, which bore his name. Notable titles in his respectable repertoire include..."18 Golden Destroyers", "Fight Back to School", "Royal Tramp", "King of Beggars", "Beast Cops"...but in this viewers mind, it always came right down to the fact that "Fist of Legend" was (...and as you will soon read, STILL is) the pinnacle triumph of his career...his absolute finest achievement. Admittedly, I have not been particularly privy to anything notably stand-out, deriving out of Gordon Chan's still prolific film making arena, over the past several years. And unfortunately, if his latest...the 2012 martial arts fantasy actioner, "The Four" is any indication of his furthered evolution...well, I guess that this viewer will have to continue hoping that one day, Chan will top, or at the very least match the likes of his celebrated "...Legend"...'cause "The Four" sure as heck ain't gonna cut it, in that respect...

Movie Review: Major Dundee (1965, Two-Disc Extended Edition Blu-ray)

There really aren't too many directors that can compare to Sam Peckinpah when it comes to his complexity as a man and all-around filmmaking talent. The director was a true visionary and did something to the Western genre that even took the violence of the Old West to a level that even the Italian Spaghetti Westerns didn't portray. Major Dundee is one of those fine examples (along with The Wild Bunch and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid) that tries to do something a little unique by adding the element of the Civil War to a Western film. It's available now on Blu-ray in collector's edition two-disc set from Twilight Time and it begs for attention if you love all things Peckinpah.

Major Amos Dundee (Charlton Heston, The Ten Commandments, and Soylent Green) is a man on a mission to track the vicious Apaches who slaughtered dozens of folks in a village. As determined as Dundee may be, he can’t do it with a small gang; he needs an army, so he enlists the talents of a variety of soldiers, cowboys, drunks and misfits to take the journey. With the help of a war prisoner named Ben Tyreen (Richard Harris, A Man Called Horse) the men go forth on what becomes a dangerous undertaking by tracking and hopefully killing the Apaches.  As you’d expect much of the signature Peckinpah violence on display, just not near as gratuitous as The Wild Bunch. With that said, the carnage on screen is still very effective.

Movie Review: Things (1989)

Severin Films’ even more eclectic label Intervision has shown some consistency on the unpredictability of their title choices. Case in point, Barry J. Gillis’ and Andrew Jordan's mind-numbingly ridiculuous Things. If you have yet to see Things, it really is kind of crazy and shockingly amusing in a Tommy Wiseau's The Room kind of way. Ironically Severin’s release  of Birdemic has been labeled The Room for the horror crowd. As a big fan of The Room, this little Canadian number feels a lot closer, and just as inept.

Don Drake (Barry J. Gillis) and Fred Horton (Bruce Roach) are a couple of beer chugging hosers hanging out in a house that’s infested with mutated ants that look sort of like the spawn creatures from The Deadly Spawn.  Sounds like a fun creature? Well, after what seems to be an hour of beer drinking, watching TV and putting bugs in each others sandwiches we eventually get to see them. Yes, it's a slow burn, much like the clap. Things can be incredibly tedious at times with so much lame padding, after a while though it grows on you.

Movie Review: Bad Meat (2011)

You know, I saw that this movie was available on Netflix streaming a while ago and I almost watched it but decided on something else instead. Lucky for me the guys at CHC sent it in the last care package. And by lucky I mean it’s quite obvious to me now that the gods have me on their shit list.

Bad Meat is about one of those boot-camp reform places for wayward teens. And by the looks of the lot in this flick, they wouldn’t know which way wayward was if Jacques Cousteau and National Geographic teamed up to make these morons a map complete with a survival kit containing a compass, flashlight, food rations for a week, and then marked the trail with day-glow paint. The Hitler wanna-be in charge of these little scamps is Doug Kendrew (Mark Pellegrino). Because the parents of these rebels basically wrote off their kids as unredeemable, Kendrew can, and does, whatever the hell he wants to them.

That includes his crack team of supervisors: some reject from the Mr. Universe pageant, another reject from some police academy or army washout, and an Amazonian hell bitch who swaggers and oozes nympho pheromones. Why anyone would think this rag tag motley crew is capable of anything other than amoral and illegal behavior, let alone reforming a bunch of snot nosed brats, is beyond my comprehension.

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #99 - We Broke the Comicon

Kevin joins Tony and David Sabal from The Atomic Fallout Society, Brian Smith from The Atomic Fallout Society and The Gorram Nerd Hour, and Jacob O'Neal and Isaac Hulke from The Gorram Nerd Hour to record live at Phoenix Comicon.

The crew wraps the con with an emergency evacuation, talk of their favorite moments, Isaac's secret profession, a game of 20 Questions and Kevin and Tony telling each other how great they are.

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"The Vixens Of Kung Fu" and "Oriental Blue" Drive-in Double Feature Coming July 11th From Vinegar Syndrome!

Release Date: 7/9/2013

Format: Dual Layer DVD-9
# Discs: 1
SKU: VS-011
UPC: 855011004109
SRP: $14.98

Label: VINEGAR SYNDROME

Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Frame: 23.98 Progressive Scan
Region: Region Free
Color: Color
TRT: 155 minutes
Audio: Dolby Digital Mono

Year of Production: 1975
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Sexploitation / Exploitation / Classic Erotica

Movie Review: Tom Green Live (2013)

I've always been a Tom Green fan. Ever since the start of his MTV show, I thought he was genuine in his silliness. He was a guy having fun, often at the expense of his friends or family. On top of it all, he wasn't doing what he did as some kind of bit for the money. He did his show for free for seven years on public television in Canada before MTV ever came calling. There's a special kind of truth to everything Tom Green does, and it comes out in his stand-up.

I hadn't seen any of Green's act until I watched this, but I heard good things here and there. There were rumors of music and silly bits, but everything seemed positive in a "you know, he's actually pretty good" sort of way. I hate to say it, but I had a similar reaction as I started to watch.